Powertrain Design Platform Cuts Concept-to-Road Time

A UK engineering consultancy claims it has developed a new powertrain design platform that will take concepts from drawing board to the road in a fraction of the time.

Transmission and driveline specialist Drive System Design (DSD) has developed a control system library called Infinite Control, aimed at carmakers and Teir 1 suppliers, that has already been employed to design the drivetrain for a Jaguar F-Pace demonstrator which will be road ready early 2019.

DSD claims Infinite Control covers all powertrain configurations, whether a two-speed electric drive unit (EDU) or the most complex hybridized AT. Control systems are increasingly complex as the industry adopts electrification, because multi-speed EDUs often require AMT or DCT capability. Additionally it claims that by including hybrid supervisory and low level eMotor control, the platform enables all transmission types including AT and CVT to be hybridized in a P2 or P3 arrangement. The investment and knowledge gained in the development of these modules can also be used for other applications, such as BEVs.

“As powertrain architectures become increasingly complex and varied, Infinite Control enables suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to bring new concepts through development and onto the road with production-intent technology, quicker,” said DSD’s head of control systems, Pedro Zabala.

“Designed for ‘production intent’, the modules of Infinite Control feature a production ready architecture compatible with functional safety standards and include advanced features such as adaptability to manufacturing tolerances, and management of complex shift strategies such as ‘change of minds’.”

With much of DSD’s customer work cloaked in confidentiality, the first public exposure of Infinite Control will be highlighted at the CTI Berlin Symposium in December.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_

Contact us

Feature Sites

Connect with us

This website uses cookies, including third party ones,
to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to
improve your experience and our services.
By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our
Cookie Policy
and Privacy Policy.